When designing the space for Material Girls, an art exhibition featuring the work of 24 female artists at Regina’s Dunlop Art Gallery, the idea was to make it as inviting as possible.

“We thought ‘Let’s just pack it, and make it less of that austere, white patriarchal gallery space. We wanted to make it more accessible, in that it might be something we could see in our domestic space, in our homes, kitchens and teenaged girls’ bedrooms,” said co-curator Wendy Peart. “We have found that people have responded really well to that kind of approach, that it’s just more relatable.”

Material Girls first debuted in 2015 and has since gone on to show in Scarborough, Ont., at the Doris McCarthy Gallery and Contemporary Calgary. It opens at College Art Gallery 1 at the University of Saskatchewan on Feb. 4.

The exhibition’s all-female lineup addresses the gender discrepancy that still exists in the male-dominated art world. Peart said the exhibition proves that, though conditions are improving for women artists, feminist messages are still very relevant.

“We can’t forget about our feminist voice or what our sisters were talking about 30, 40, 50 years ago. We are continually working towards a more equitable society,” she said.

Peart curated the show along with Blair Fornwald and Jennifer Matotek. Material Girls started with the theme of the material form and how it is used to express an idea. The curators chose artists with a variety of voices and cultural backgrounds. Though the group is predominantly Canadian, Material Girls also includes artists who were born in countries like Iran and South Korea.

The show also highlights diverse artistic practices, from photography to fibre to sculpture. Though the pieces are all very different, they all have strong attention to craftsmanship.

“That’s something that unites all of these, that real concern for how something is executed and the idea behind the artwork,” said Peart.

The exhibition draws on three main themes: how the body is used as a medium, how material is used in both decorative and political ways, and the idea of excess. Each work had to fit into one of those dominant themes. Often, they fit into all three.

Material Girls also addresses the idea of craft and how traditionally a lot of female expression has been through decorative and craft-like elements, whether it be the beading of clothing or making lace doilies.

“These are things like that have traditionally been designated to women and maybe not considered in the traditional arena of the art world. But we now know that kind of work is in the art world. It’s never really just about decoration or pleasing the eye,” said Peart. “A lot of traditionally female work is about cultural knowledge, personal expression and the love of creating.”

Peart said she hopes the exhibition inspires curiosity and leaves the viewer pleasantly surprised. Though some of the pieces make a political statement, others are more dreamy and ephemeral.

“Art is an intellectual experience for sure but I think what we’re trying to do is give someone a different experience with art that is relatable and fun and maybe at times isn’t super serious,” she said.

Material Girls runs until April 21 at College Art Gallery 1. After that, it will continue to travel.

“We’ve had so much interest in the show and we have plans for up until 2019. This show certainly has legs,” said Peart.

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